Recycled fashion show aids children, veterans

April Tilton receives congratulations from the other models for her first place finish for her designer outfit of recycled materials in the On Top of the World Lions Club's Trashy Fashion Show on Friday.

Cyndi Chambers/Star-Banner

By Andy FillmoreCorrespondent

Published: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 4:55 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 4:55 p.m.

April Tilton trashed the competition and took first place in the second annual On Top Of The World Lions Club’s “Recycled Trashy Fashion Show,” which raised $8,000 to help feed hungry children and homeless veterans, among other outreaches.

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The fashion spoof raises funds for local charities and nonprofits, and Lions International charities, while highlighting the benefits of recycling. The first-, second- and third-place winners contributed their winnings of $1,000, $500 and $250 to the organization of their choice.

Tilton, vice president of Keep Putnam Beautiful, in Palatka, contributed her $1,000 prize to that agency, which is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful.

“This dress is made of soda cans, water bottles, newspaper and pop-tops,” Tilton said.

Ramicah Watkins, one of the designers of the dress, said the look was an attempt at “elegant couture.” “The bodice was made of soda cans reversed, giving the silver color, and the skirt was newspaper we painted,” Watkins said.

Event chairwoman Estelle Clark said the $8,000 raised this year will allow them to expand the number of people they can help.

“Last year we supported Interfaith (Emergency Services), Food 4 Kids, Ocala Ritz Veterans Village and sponsored children for our camp. We provided Christmas gifts for about 300 needy children and sponsored Lions Club sight outreaches, including supplying eyeglasses, eye exams, eye surgery and guide dogs,” Clark said, adding that the same organizations and programs would be the beneficiaries again this year, in addition to sending five Cub Scouts to camp.

“We borrowed the idea for a recycled fashion show from a club in New Zealand. There was an article in the Lions International magazine about it,” Clark said.

Club member Ron Niebo said about 320 people attended the event, which took place Friday at the Circle Square Cultural Center and included 16 models.

Club president Dick Spahn said he was overwhelmed at the success of the event.

“I want to thank the sponsors, advertisers and those who attended. The participation and enthusiasm was great,” Spahn said, noting that club members are all volunteers.

Master of ceremonies James Wynn kept the pace moving and Dr. Justin Fern and his dance partner, Aimee Allen, wowed the crowd with some fancy footwork.

The judges were OTOW president Kenneth Colen; Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn; photographer Maureen Fannon; Lisa Aradine, co-owner of Renee’s Consignment and Resale Shop; and Ocala Star-Banner entertainment editor Dave Schlenker. They were tasked with selecting winners based on the outfit’s visual impact, design concept, construction technique and best use of material. The outfits were required to be 75 percent recycled and not exceed a cost of $40.

Second place went to Cassandra Jackson with Hospice of Marion County, who wore a skirt made of oxygen tubing. She donated her winnings to that agency.

Ben Cutler, a vision specialist with the Florida Center for the Blind, took third place with his “tourist” outfit made of old postcards and raincoats, and a camera made from a Kleenex box and ashtray. He donated his prize to the center.

The models’ finery included Anna Wright dressed in wrapping paper and Debra Cain sporting garb that included packing tape. Megan Kotchen’s gown was fashioned partially from hair permanent boxes, while Jennifer Boyd wore pictures from magazines, which were fastened to Wal-Mart bags.

Regan Holbert wore an outfit made from chicken wire and tissue paper and Allyson Devore sported a black tuxedo made from dog food bags with bottle cap buttons. Peggy Recanzone used playing cards and magazines to make her skirt and fan. Phyllis Mastro employed wrapping paper from a Christmas past to complete her outfit. Allison Martin modeled a skirt made of newspaper pinwheels and Edna Turner-DeGeneste’s gown was covered with more than 200 calling cards promoting local businesses.

The models’ outfits are on display at Kohl’s in Ocala.

Lita Halchak, a retired teacher from Williston, wore an outfit that included a stringed pistachio shell necklace, bracelet and earrings, a toilet tissue roll poncho and a hat made from newspaper. She said her Depression-era parents taught her to not waste anything.

“There should be more recycling. I was raised to never throw away anything usable,” she said.

<p>April Tilton trashed the competition and took first place in the second annual On Top Of The World Lions Club's “Recycled Trashy Fashion Show,” which raised $8,000 to help feed hungry children and homeless veterans, among other outreaches.</p><p>The fashion spoof raises funds for local charities and nonprofits, and Lions International charities, while highlighting the benefits of recycling. The first-, second- and third-place winners contributed their winnings of $1,000, $500 and $250 to the organization of their choice. </p><p>Tilton, vice president of Keep Putnam Beautiful, in Palatka, contributed her $1,000 prize to that agency, which is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful.</p><p>“This dress is made of soda cans, water bottles, newspaper and pop-tops,” Tilton said.</p><p>Ramicah Watkins, one of the designers of the dress, said the look was an attempt at “elegant couture.” “The bodice was made of soda cans reversed, giving the silver color, and the skirt was newspaper we painted,” Watkins said.</p><p>Event chairwoman Estelle Clark said the $8,000 raised this year will allow them to expand the number of people they can help.</p><p>“Last year we supported Interfaith (Emergency Services), Food 4 Kids, Ocala Ritz Veterans Village and sponsored children for our camp. We provided Christmas gifts for about 300 needy children and sponsored Lions Club sight outreaches, including supplying eyeglasses, eye exams, eye surgery and guide dogs,” Clark said, adding that the same organizations and programs would be the beneficiaries again this year, in addition to sending five Cub Scouts to camp.</p><p>“We borrowed the idea for a recycled fashion show from a club in New Zealand. There was an article in the Lions International magazine about it,” Clark said.</p><p>Club member Ron Niebo said about 320 people attended the event, which took place Friday at the Circle Square Cultural Center and included 16 models.</p><p>Club president Dick Spahn said he was overwhelmed at the success of the event.</p><p>“I want to thank the sponsors, advertisers and those who attended. The participation and enthusiasm was great,” Spahn said, noting that club members are all volunteers.</p><p>Master of ceremonies James Wynn kept the pace moving and Dr. Justin Fern and his dance partner, Aimee Allen, wowed the crowd with some fancy footwork.</p><p>The judges were OTOW president Kenneth Colen; Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn; photographer Maureen Fannon; Lisa Aradine, co-owner of Renee's Consignment and Resale Shop; and Ocala Star-Banner entertainment editor Dave Schlenker. They were tasked with selecting winners based on the outfit's visual impact, design concept, construction technique and best use of material. The outfits were required to be 75 percent recycled and not exceed a cost of $40.</p><p>Second place went to Cassandra Jackson with Hospice of Marion County, who wore a skirt made of oxygen tubing. She donated her winnings to that agency.</p><p>Ben Cutler, a vision specialist with the Florida Center for the Blind, took third place with his “tourist” outfit made of old postcards and raincoats, and a camera made from a Kleenex box and ashtray. He donated his prize to the center.</p><p>The models' finery included Anna Wright dressed in wrapping paper and Debra Cain sporting garb that included packing tape. Megan Kotchen's gown was fashioned partially from hair permanent boxes, while Jennifer Boyd wore pictures from magazines, which were fastened to Wal-Mart bags.</p><p>Regan Holbert wore an outfit made from chicken wire and tissue paper and Allyson Devore sported a black tuxedo made from dog food bags with bottle cap buttons. Peggy Recanzone used playing cards and magazines to make her skirt and fan. Phyllis Mastro employed wrapping paper from a Christmas past to complete her outfit. Allison Martin modeled a skirt made of newspaper pinwheels and Edna Turner-DeGeneste's gown was covered with more than 200 calling cards promoting local businesses.</p><p>The models' outfits are on display at Kohl's in Ocala.</p><p>Lita Halchak, a retired teacher from Williston, wore an outfit that included a stringed pistachio shell necklace, bracelet and earrings, a toilet tissue roll poncho and a hat made from newspaper. She said her Depression-era parents taught her to not waste anything.</p><p>“There should be more recycling. I was raised to never throw away anything usable,” she said.</p>